Essex: £540,000 Given To Essex Projects

People with mental health issues and struggling families in Essex will benefit from £540,000 of lottery funding.

Two projects in Essex have received funding from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme, which is designed to help those most in need and build stronger communities.

They are among 55 groups across the country to benefit from lottery funding.

Trust Links in Essex received £300,000 to deliver social and gardening activities to improve the health and wellbeing of adults and young people dealing with mental health issues.

The project will develop a new community garden from a disused allotment site in Shoeburyness where people can participate in structured activities while learning horticultural skills.

Matt King, chief executive of Trust Links, said: "This Big Lottery Fund grant will give us a fantastic start and help lead to the development of a sustainable project in Shoeburyness that will benefit people for years to come.''

In Tendring £240,000 has been awarded to Extra-Support For Families Community Interest Company to run parenting courses helping families struggling with a range of issues.

The project aims to improve the lives of families dealing with poverty, isolation, poor housing conditions and multiple needs such as alcohol addiction, domestic violence or mental health issues.

Sara Betsworth, Big Lottery Fund head of the Eastern Region, said: "Enabling people to get the support they need so they can move forwards with their lives in a positive direction is what Reaching Communities is all about.

"I am really pleased to see Trust Links and Extra Support for Families CIC receiving grants today that will have an enormous impact on families, adults and young people in Essex facing mental health problems and other challenges.''